Category Archives: NEW CARS

NEW CARS

McMurtry Spéirling Pure

For the past few years, the McMurtry Spéirling has been the electric hypercar that seemed to ignore the laws of physics. It climbed the hill at Goodwood faster than Formula 1 machinery, demolished lap records, and became famous for generating more downforce at a standstill than most supercars produce at triple-digit speeds. Now, the tiny British company behind those headline-grabbing performances has finally revealed the production version, and it appears the road from prototype to customer car hasn’t dulled its edge one bit.

Meet the McMurtry Spéirling Pure.

At first glance, it looks nearly identical to the record-setting prototype. Underneath the compact carbon-fiber bodywork, however, the company says the production model is almost entirely new, with 95 percent of its components redesigned or replaced. The updates go well beyond durability and manufacturability, bringing improvements to the battery, powertrain, cooling system, chassis, and even cockpit ergonomics.

The most significant change comes in the battery department. The original 60.0-kWh pack has made way for a much larger 100.0-kWh unit, giving the Spéirling Pure enough energy to sustain repeated high-performance sessions instead of just delivering eye-opening acceleration runs. McMurtry says the car can complete between 40 and 50 kilometers of flat-out driving at LMP2 race pace before requiring a recharge—a remarkable claim considering the level of performance on offer.

Performance, unsurprisingly, remains the headline act.

The Pure is powered by a pair of electric motors producing a combined 986 horsepower, with every bit of it sent exclusively to the rear wheels. Despite lacking all-wheel drive, McMurtry claims the Spéirling Pure rockets from 0 to 100 km/h in just 1.55 seconds, putting it in territory occupied by purpose-built drag racers rather than conventional hypercars.

As astonishing as those numbers are, straight-line speed isn’t what makes the Spéirling unique.

That distinction belongs to the car’s active downforce system. Two high-speed fans mounted beneath the chassis work alongside sealed skirts to create more than 2,000 kilograms of downforce from zero speed. Unlike traditional wings and diffusers that require airflow to become effective, the McMurtry’s fan-assisted system delivers maximum grip the instant the car begins moving.

It’s a concept famously explored by racing cars decades ago, but McMurtry has refined it into something suitable for customer ownership. The twin-fan arrangement also introduces redundancy—if one fan were to fail, the second continues generating substantial suction, maintaining stability and giving the driver an additional margin of safety.

That aerodynamic advantage pays dividends everywhere. According to McMurtry, the Spéirling Pure is capable of generating up to 3G under braking and while cornering, levels of acceleration normally reserved for elite single-seater race cars. It also shortens stopping distances significantly, even in situations where the driver loses control, because the fan-generated downforce remains effective regardless of vehicle speed.

The engineering changes extend beyond outright performance. McMurtry says the carbon-fiber monocoque now complies with global motorsport safety standards while simultaneously offering more elbow and legroom inside the cockpit—a welcome improvement in a car whose dimensions remain extraordinarily compact.

Keeping such a machine running between track sessions has also been considered. Recharge times vary between roughly 20 and 60 minutes depending on charger output and ambient temperatures, meaning owners won’t necessarily spend an entire afternoon waiting to return to the circuit.

Exclusivity, meanwhile, is guaranteed.

McMurtry plans to build just 100 examples of the Spéirling Pure, each carrying a starting price of approximately $1.3 million. Buyers can also purchase factory-backed support for racing and track-day events, underscoring the company’s intention for these cars to be driven rather than displayed.

And there will be plenty of places to drive them. McMurtry says the Spéirling Pure will be eligible for GT1 Sports Club events and Global Time Attack competitions in the United States, while European owners will be able to compete in the Time Attack Masters championship.

Most electric hypercars promise breathtaking acceleration. The McMurtry Spéirling Pure promises something far rarer: a completely different understanding of what mechanical grip feels like. With nearly 1,000 horsepower, almost instantaneous acceleration, and a fan system capable of pinning the car to the asphalt before aerodynamic wings even wake up, the production Spéirling doesn’t merely chase performance records—it redefines the physics behind them.

Source: McMurtry Automotive

NEW CARS

Bugatti Mistral Blanc Éternel

When most automakers talk about premium materials, they mean carbon fiber, titanium, or hand-stitched leather. Bugatti, on the other hand, reached for porcelain.

Fifteen years after partnering with Königliche Porzellan-Manufaktur Berlin (KPM) to create a one-off Veyron Grand Sport trimmed with handcrafted porcelain, the French marque has revived the unlikely collaboration for what may be an even more fitting farewell. Meet the Bugatti W16 Mistral Blanc Éternel, a bespoke roadster created through the company’s Sur Mesure personalization program that serves as both an artistic statement and a tribute to Bugatti’s legendary W16 engine.

The Blanc Éternel isn’t just another heavily customized Mistral. It’s a rolling send-off for one of the most remarkable production engines ever built. As Bugatti prepares to retire its quad-turbocharged 8.0-liter W16, this unique commission celebrates the powerplant that defined the Veyron and Chiron eras before making way for an entirely new chapter.

Porcelain remains the centerpiece of the collaboration, appearing in places few would expect to find such a delicate material. Handcrafted ceramic accents finish the iconic EB emblems, fuel filler cap, engine inserts, gear selector, speaker grilles, and even the armrests. It’s the kind of craftsmanship that feels more at home in a gallery than inside a 1,578-horsepower hypercar.

The exterior is just as dramatic. Finished in a brilliant white paint scheme with contrasting black pinstriping that traces the body’s sculpted surfaces, the Blanc Éternel almost resembles a hand-drawn illustration brought to life. The graphic treatment continues inside the cabin, where the same flowing black lines create visual continuity between the exterior and interior. The result is a design that looks as though it stepped straight out of an animated film while remaining unmistakably Bugatti.

Beneath the artistic flourishes sits the same mechanical masterpiece that makes every W16 Mistral significant. The roadster is powered by Bugatti’s iconic 8.0-liter quad-turbocharged W16, the final production application of an engine that has spent two decades rewriting the hypercar rulebook with its immense power, effortless performance, and record-breaking speed.

Its successor couldn’t be more different. The upcoming Tourbillon abandons turbocharging—and even the W16 configuration altogether—in favor of a naturally aspirated 8.3-liter V16 developed alongside hybrid technology. Three electric motors join the combustion engine, signaling a new era for Bugatti while preserving the brand’s obsession with extraordinary engineering.

That makes the W16 Mistral Blanc Éternel more than another one-off commission. It’s a commemorative piece marking the end of one of the automotive world’s defining engineering achievements. Bugatti has always blurred the line between automobile and artwork, but with porcelain woven into one of the final W16-powered cars ever built, the Blanc Éternel stands as both a collector’s masterpiece and a graceful farewell to an unforgettable engine.

Source: Bugatti

NEW CARS

Fiat Multiplina EV

If you’ve ever wondered what the next evolution of urban transportation might look like, Fiat believes the answer isn’t another oversized electric SUV. Instead, it’s something dramatically smaller.

Meet the Fiat Multiplina, a charming four-seat electric microcar that blends retro Italian design with modern EV technology—and could become one of the most intriguing city cars of the decade.

Previewed as the Multiplina Concept during a micromobility event in Vatican City, the production version is scheduled to arrive in 2028 as Fiat expands its commitment to affordable urban mobility. Sitting between the tiny two-seat Topolino and Fiat’s upcoming next-generation city car, the Multiplina fills what CEO Olivier François describes as the brand’s “missing link.”

Looking Back to Move Forward

Fiat has never been shy about mining its heritage, and the Multiplina wears its inspiration proudly.

Rather than borrowing from the iconic 500, designers looked to the wonderfully unconventional 600 Multipla of 1956—the original compact people mover decades before the MPV became fashionable. The concept echoes its ancestor with a tall, upright silhouette, a short vertical nose, and simple circular headlights, giving it an unmistakably retro personality without feeling like a nostalgic caricature.

Its footprint is equally historic. At just under three meters long, the Multiplina is remarkably close in size to the original 1957 Fiat 500, making it one of the smallest four-seat electric vehicles currently planned for production.

More Than Just a Bigger Topolino

Although the Multiplina shares its basic architecture with the Citroën Ami-derived Topolino and Fiat’s new Tris commercial vehicle, this isn’t simply a stretched version of either.

Instead, Fiat says the platform will be extensively re-engineered to accommodate four occupants, a larger battery pack, and significantly improved driving capability.

The biggest change comes underneath. Unlike the L6-category Topolino—which is legally classified as a quadricycle and limited to just 28 mph with a modest 46-mile range—the Multiplina will move into the more capable L7 class.

That means a top speed of 55 mph, the regulatory maximum for the category, along with a substantially longer driving range. Fiat hasn’t revealed battery specifications yet, but the additional performance should make the Multiplina viable beyond crowded city centers, expanding its usefulness into suburban commuting and short regional trips.

Fiat Doubles Down on Small Cars

While much of the automotive industry continues chasing larger crossovers and premium electric SUVs, Fiat appears determined to carve out a different path.

François has repeatedly emphasized that Fiat intends to become Stellantis’ dedicated micromobility brand, focusing on compact, accessible, and affordable transportation rather than competing in increasingly crowded mainstream EV segments.

The Multiplina fits neatly into that strategy. It bridges the gap between the minimalist Topolino and Fiat’s upcoming entry-level electric hatchback while complementing existing models like the 500 and Panda in markets where the latter remains on sale.

Even as Fiat prepares to introduce the Grizzly—a C-segment SUV positioned against the Dacia Duster—the company’s identity remains firmly rooted in producing clever small cars rather than oversized family haulers.

A Vatican Debut That Makes Sense

The choice of Vatican City for the Multiplina Concept’s debut may seem unusual, but it reflects Fiat’s growing involvement in urban sustainability projects.

The Italian automaker has partnered with the Vatican to supply a fleet of 30 light electric vehicles, including Topolino microcars and Tris delivery vehicles, supporting the city state’s goal of operating an entirely zero-emissions fleet by 2030.

The first 20 vehicles have already been delivered, making the Vatican an unlikely but fitting showcase for the kind of compact electric transportation Fiat envisions for Europe’s increasingly congested city centers.

It’s also where the production Multiplina is expected to make its official debut later this year before its planned market launch in 2028.

Small Car, Big Opportunity

Microcars have long occupied a niche corner of the European market, often viewed as compromises rather than desirable products. Fiat wants to change that.

By combining genuine four-seat practicality with unmistakable retro styling and improved everyday usability, the Multiplina could appeal to buyers who find traditional city cars unnecessarily large but consider vehicles like the Topolino too limited for daily life.

Whether the market is ready for a renaissance of compact electric people movers remains to be seen. But if any manufacturer can make a tiny car feel genuinely aspirational, it’s probably the same company that turned the 500 into a global style icon.

The Multiplina isn’t trying to reinvent the automobile. It’s simply asking whether cities might be better served by cars that take up less space—and have a little more personality while doing it.

Source: Autocar